Collapsible crate



Apr. 110,'1923V E. E. sun-IERLAND coLLAPsIBLE CRATE Filed Apr. la, 1922w m, E A WW m5. E S im Ey ,5

/5 Z/ la Patented Apr. ,10, 19123. l

lenses enfant `ENOS E. SUTHERLAND, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

coLLAPsIBLn CRATE.

Application filed April 1S, 1922. Serial No. 555,396.

T 0 all whom z5 may concern Be it known that l, Enos E. SU'rHnnLAND, acitizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the` county ofLos' Angeles and Statey of California, haveV invented-new and usefulImprovements in Collapsible `corners formed by adjacent side walls withCrates, of-which the following is a specilication. This inventionrelates to collapsible receptacles and more particularly to that type ofreceptacle disclosedin'my allowed application Serial No. 457,162, filedMarch 31. 1921, to which reference ismade for a `full description of thereceptacle.

It is an object of my present invention to improve the means for lockingthe basket or receptacle in its erected position independently of thefact whether the cover is ap lied or not.

e ne embodiment of the invention is here-f in described and illustratedin the accom panying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective of thecrate 1n assembled position showing the fastening means as disconnectedand open.

Fig. 2 is a plan of the receptacle showing the fastening means in closedand vSecured position. f

Fig. 3 is a perspective of a form of top closure for the receptacle.

Fig. 4 is a perspective of my improved fastening means. j

Fig. 5 is a perspective of a key cooperative with the fastening means tosecure the same locked. f

Y The crate shown in Fig. 1 is'preferably aV rectangular structureincluding opposite side walls 1 and opposite side walls 2 arranged atright angles thereto when the crate is unfolded. Each of the side wallspreferably comprises upper yand lower cross members 3 connected byvertical slats 4 transversely spaced as shown at 5 in order to lightenthe construction, and as a conse-` as by receiving said oppositeportionsof the loop through bearings '7 formed between crossmembers 3and slats 4.

As will be readily understood by reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the loopsforming the links are thus adapted to extend across the the ends of theloops pivoted to the respective adjacent side walls, and the upper andlower portions of the loops extending angularly across the corners aboveand below cross members 3.' -Theco'nstruction, as `thus described,permits of ready collapsing of the crate byl simply foldingone pairof'adf jacent side wallsl and 2 upon the opposite pair of adjacent sidewallsl and 2, it being noted that the link connections between 'theadjacent side walls permit of suflicient relative movement of said sidelwalls to allow such collapsing.

End members are arranged within the crate, as 'thus constructed, and areadapted to hold the same against collapse.A Each of these end membersmay comprise a frame consisting of cross bars 10 and transversely spacedslats 11 fixed thereon. end members is adapted to be inserted in theunfolded crate so as to rest upon the One of the` tops of the lower linkconnections between e the side. walls, and if desired, a similar closureplate mayrest upon the top of the crate in order to close the upper endof the same.. It will thus be noted that when the closure plates are inposition the crate will be held in extended position, and that when theclosure plates are removed the crate may be readily collapsed.

In my present invention' theerected receptacleis conveniently andreadily locked.l

of-a pair of bail like members'l, the shanks .i

of each'of which converge upwardly to a helix 16 forming a handleportion, while the lower end of the shanks 15 of each bail divergeandare provided with eyes 17 piv-` oted upon the diagonal link or loopmembers 6 at the upper end of the receptacle. The length of the bailsare such that when 'the two bails are swung with their helical portions16 into meeting position as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the coils of thehelices intermesh, and through the center opening` Within the helicesJ:here may be passed a suitable ke7 member 1S. This keymember may bemade of flat Wire and has the generflly straight shank with anintermediate hump or bow 19 designed to be intermeshed with the coils olthe coordinate helices. This prevents the helices 16 from separating.From he above it Will be seen that l have provided an extremely simpleform of 'fastening means for securing the erected velements of thereceptacle', end furthery to provide a fastening means which isserviceeble as a handle for Carr une' the receptacle.

, 5 D l In Fig. it Will be seen that the corners of one of the sidemembers l() nre diagonally vcut mvay as et 13 to provide for 'theinser-Frtion of the top forming structure in the top of the erectedreceptacle. f

Various changes and modifications muy be mede without departing' 'fromthe spirit ol' the invention as claimed. f

llillmt is claimed is:

l. The combination with :i collapsible receptacle having hinge formingmembers at the corners of the side Walls, of bail like means pivotedupon said members and adapted to be moved into interengziging position,

2. The combination with zicollapsible receptacle lievinghinge formingmembers ai the corners oi'A the side Walls(n of bail like means pivotedupon seid members and adapted to be moved into inierengziginiV posiion,said members beingprovided with porions forminpl` handles .vliereb5v thereceptacle may be Carried.

3. The combineion with :i collapsible reycepiicle haring hinge forming;members :it

n n. sUfri-innninn.

